School bells really ring in Chester

Following a boots-on-the-ground, high-stakes enrollment drive this summer, Chester Upland School District officials executed a final mission on Tuesday morning.

With ringing bells and a delegation of school officials and dignitaries, the troubled district welcomed 800 new students, celebrating what it is trumpeting as a rare success story.

Superintendent Gregory Shannon was among those who gathered in the high school courtyard to greet students at what administrators say is a transformed school, featuring small learning communities, such as an honors academy; an in-school cyber-learning program; and a ninth-grade academy.

"We're excited. This is like Christmas Day. It's a new day in Chester Upland School District," Shannon said as students lumbered through the front doors.

The ceremony also marked the end of an extraordinary summer for the new superintendent and school officials, who pounded the faded asphalt of the river city, knocking on hundreds of doors to recruit students after years of losing enrollment to competing charter schools.

Their drive is credited with saving two elementary schools and beginning a hoped-for turnaround in an urban district clobbered by budget cuts and teacher layoffs.

Officials said they wanted students to feel special when they reported to school. In addition to Shannon and other school officials, clergy, members of the Masons, Shriners, Nation of Islam, and Omega Psi Phi (Shannon's fraternity), showed up for the big event.

Receiver Joe Watkins, who oversees the district's 3,000 students , said officials spent all summer asking families to give them another chance. The bell-ringing was a chance to tell students "we love them, we respect them, and we want them to have a great school year," he said.

In May, the district expected 2,200 students in the fall and announced that two elementary schools, Main Street and Chester Upland School for the Arts, would close. But with 800 new students, both schools remain open.

In addition to the changes at the high school, the district rolled out a new science and technology program for middle-school students and enhanced arts curriculum at the elemtnary schools. The new academic offerings were coupled with improved security measures after a number of high profile in-school brawls. Schools were repainted and stocked with materials, officials said.

"We haven't slept for two days," said Claudia Alvaraez, a high school administrator.

Principal Constance McAlister, wearing one of the new student uniforms, a black polo shirt, handed out bells to the adult guests and said they signified change.

"Change is good, so ring those bells as we begin a new year," she saidwith a loud whoop.

While the guests were giddy, the kids reacted like typical teenagers, looking bored and less-than-enthused about being back in school.

Some said they were looking forward to more challenging and interesting courses and fewer fights among students. And they even expressed some appreciation for the efforts to help them succeed.

"At least they're trying," said Daevon Johnson, 15, a 10th grader. "I didn't think it was that bad last year."

His brother, 14-year-old Dazmir, was just starting high school, so he wasn't sure what to expect. But he did know he wasn't quite ready to take the plunge.

"I'd prefer to stay home for another week or so," he said.